Vehicle-wheel.



MIA 1W G. G. JOHANSON.

VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED MAYQ, 1912.

Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. F191.

' Inventor: Clams G.Johan.'son

RAPH c0.,wAsl-IlNGTON. D. c.

G. G. JOHANSON.

VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED MAYQ, 1912.

1,073,049. Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

mull! awe-sGJoha/nson, b min/d3. a @Q m COLUMBIA PLANDORAPH c0., WASHINGTON, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT orricn.

CLAES G. JOHANSON, OFKDORGHE STER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 JENNIE W. GOODING, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

' VEHICLE-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

Application filed May 9, 1912. Serial No. 696,259.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GLAnsG. J OHANSON, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Dorchester, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to vehicle wheels and particularly to that class of wheels in which two hub members are used, one within the other, the outer hub being provided with a plurality of spokes for securing the rim or felly thereto While the inner hub is always concentric with the axle upon which it is mounted, yielding connecting means being interposed between the two hub members whereby the' wheel will yield under strain and provide a resiliency which will obviate the necessity of using pneumatic or similar tires.

The present invention has for its object the production of a novel means for connecting the vehicle hub members whereby the desired resiliency is secured in a very simple and efficient manner, the construc tion being such that the connecting mechanisms may be operated 1n grease or other lubricant, while means is also provided to pre vent the admission of dust or dirt to the op erating parts.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be readily understood by reference to the description of the drawings and to the claims hereinafter given.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation and partial section of the central portion of a wheel embodying the features of the present invention, the cover plate being shown removed therefrom. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same, the cutting plane being on line 2-2 on Fig.1. Fig. 3

is a vertical section of the'same, the cutting plane being on line 3 3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4; is a vertical section through a portion of the segmental annular member, showing means of adjustably connecting the adja cent ends of two segments together. Fig. 5 is a plan of a portion of the outer hub member and the cover plate cooperating therewith, said members being separated and each showing the locking lug formed integral therewith, that upon the cover plate being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 6 repre sents a transverse section of the same, the cutting plane being on line 66 on Fig. 5, showing the cover plate looked upon the outer hub member. Fig. 7 represents a vertical section of one of .the cylinder plungers, and Figs. 8 and 9 represent respectively an elevation of the outer hub member and the cover plate adapted to coact therewith.

Similar characters designate like parts throughout the several figures of the draw ings.

In the drawings, 10 represents an axle on which is mounted a tubular portion 11 of the inner hub member 12. The hub member 12 is provided with an annular chamber 13 surrounding the tubular portion 11 and closed by an annular plate 14:. The chamber 13 communicates by means of passages 15 with a pluralilty of cylinders 16 formed in the inner hub member 12, these cylinders 16 being connected by parallel flanges 17 for1ning an annular slot which is adapted to rev ceive the annular segmental member 18. The member 18 is oomposed'of a plurality of segments 19 shown in the drawings, and each segment is provided in its outer edge with a concaved notch 20 fitting over a lug 21 formed upon the inner circumferential wall of the outer hub member 22. Extending outwardly from the outer hub member 22 are two parallel flanges 23, between which are positioned the wheel spokes 2i secured thereto in any well-known manner. Each segment 19 is provided on its inner edge with a plurality of concaved surfaces 25, each of these concaved surfaces 25 being opposite a cylinder 16. Fitting over the concaved inner edge of each segment are slotted rocker members 26, the inner surfaces of which are convex and fitted to concaved recesses in the plungers 27 mounted in the cylinders 16. The rocker members 26 are positioned upon the plungers 27 by means of the inturned clips 28 formed there- 38 as shown in Fig.

I nut 39 in the usual manner. and surround on. Each plunger has secured thereto a helical sprin 29 extending to the bottom of its cylinder 16 and normally forcing the plunger 27 outwardly, thereby retaining the slotted rocker member 26 in engagement with'one of the concaved edges of the segment 19 at all times. The segments 19 are provided at each end with cylindrical members 30 extending transversely thereof, and adapted to oscillate therein. In each end of each segment 19 is a socket 31 the axes of which are at right angles with the axes of said oscillating members 30. Each pair of adjacent members 30 has threaded thereto the right and left hand threaded adjusting member 32. In assembling'the parts of the inner hub member 12 the segments 19 are adjusted relative to each other so thatthe circumference of the annular member 18 is slightly less than the circumferential wall 33 of the outer hub member, and when the inner hub member has been inserted into the central chamber 34 of said outer hub member with the inner face of the annular member 18 against the shoulder 35 on said outer hub member 22, the adjusting members 32 are then manipulated until the outer edge of the segments 19 impinge firmly upon said circumferential wall 33. When it is desired to remove the inner hub member, by means of the adjusting members 32, the springs 29 may all be slightly compressed and the segments 19 moved inwardly until their outer edges disengage the circumferential wall 33' of the outer hub member 22 and the whole inner hub member may be removed intact with the associated parts thereon. After these parts have been removed the members 32 may be adjusted so as to separate the segments 19 to such an extent that the tension upon the springs 29 will be greatly decreased, thereby permitting their removal from the cylinders 16 more readily.

The plunger 27 is provided with a central opening 36 therethrough communicating with a similar opening 37 in the rocker member 26. In practice the compartment 13 is filled with grease or some other suitable lubricant which is inserted through the passage 37 in the inner hub member 12, said passage being closed by the threaded plug 3. This grease or lubricant is adapted to flow through the passages 15 into the cylinders 16, lubricating these cylinders, and then through the pas.

sages 3G and 37, thereby not'only lubricating the contacting surfaces between the rocker members 26 and plungers 27, but also the concaved edges of the segments 19 with which said rocker members 26 coact. The outer end of the axle 10 is provided with the ing this nut and the end of the tubular por- 1 tion 11 of the inner hub member 12 but separated therefrom isan annular flange 40, to which is threaded aco'ver '41 which prevents dust from entering the central chamber 34 of the outer hub member 22 and interfering with the operation of the working parts therein. The opposite side of the outer hub member 22 is provided with a lateral annular'flange 42, to the interior cir-.

cumferential wall of which is fitted an annu-v lar flange 43 formed upon a cover plate 44' adapted to entirely close the central chamber 34 of the outer hub member 22. This cover plate 44 is also provided with another annular flange 45 having extending inwardly therefrom wedge-shaped locking lugs 46 adapted to engage with coacting locking lugs extending outwardly from the flange 42. These locking lugs 47 are equidistant about the aXis of the outer hub member 22 and the locking lugs 46 are similarly positioned upon the cover plate 44. When it is desired to place the cover plate upon the outer hub member 22, this is accomplished by inserting the flange 43 thereof into the central chamber 34 of the outer hub member, while the locking lugs 46 and 47 are out of register, and then turning this cover plate until the openings 48 and 49 in the flanges 45 and 43 are'in alinement with the opening 50 in the flange 42. The member 51 is then inserted through these various openings, the end of said member being threaded to the opening 49. This prevents the rotation of the cover plat-e about its axis compartment 34 of the outer hub member 22.

Normally the rocker members 26 are positioned centrally in the concavities 25, but as the wheel revolves these members tend to ride up on the concaved edges thereof and increase the tension of the springs 29 in an obvious manner. As the wheel revolves, the weight of the load transmitted through the axle 10 will be sustained yieldingly by the joint action of a majority of the sprmgs 29 through which the weight will be transferred to the outer hub member 22. As a consequence, all shocks and jars due to change in the load or to inequalities in the ground traversed by the vehicle will be taken up and distributed by the action of said springs. Naturally there will always be more or less rotary movement of the annular member 18 relative to the plunger 27 and rocker members'26 but by providing the segments 19 with the concavities 25 all of said movements are smooth and freefrom clattering and undue vibration. It is also plainly evident that there can be no jam ming or wedging action between the operating parts of the Wheel. Inasmuch as the axle 10 and the inner hub member 12 there on are yieldingly sustained by the outer hub member 22 thenecessity for pneumatic or other cushion tires is entirely dispensed with. a a 1 V By the construction shown all the Working parts may be operated in grease or other lubricants andthis lubricant is free to move throughout the device without in'any manner preventing the free movement of said parts. 7

It is obvious that changes and modifications in details of construction and arrangement of the working elements may be made Without affecting the principles of the invention.

It is believed that the operation and many advantages of the invention will be fully understood from the foregoing.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a vehicle Wheel, the combination with inner and outer hub members, the latter loosely surrounding the former having attached spokes, and lugs extending in- Wardly from its inner circumferential wall; of an annular member positioned in the central chamber of said outer hub by said lugs and having concavities on its inner edge; a plurality of cylinders mounted on the inner hub member each cylinder being opposite one of said concavities; and spring controlled plungers mounted in said cyllnders and held in yielding engagement with said annular member.

2. In a vehicle wheel, the combination with inner and outer hub members, the latter loosely surrounding the former, having attached spokes, and lugs extending inwardly from its inner circumferential wall; of an annular member positioned in the central chamber of said outer hub by said lugs and having concavities on its inner edge; a plurality of cylinders mounted on the inner hub member, each cylinder being opposite one of said concavities; spring controlled plungers mounted in said cylinders and held in yielding engagement with said annular member; a forked rocker member seated in the end of each plunger and slidable transversely thereof; and means on said plunger for retaining said rocker member in engagement therewith While permitting said slidable movement relative thereto.

3. In a vehicle wheel, the combination with inner and outer hub members, the latter loosely surrounding the former, having attached spokes, and lugs extending inwardly from its inner circumferential wall; of an annular member positioned in the central chamber of said outer hub by said lugs and having concavities on its inner edge; a plurality of cylinders mounted on the inner hub member, each cylinder being opposite one of said concavities; spring controlled plungers mounted in said cylinders and held in yielding engagement with said annular member; and a forked rocker member seated in the end of each plunger and slidable transversely thereof, said rocker member and plunger being provided with communicating oil holes terminating at the edge of said annular member.

4. In a vehicle Wheel, the combination with inner and outer hub members, the latter loosely surrounding the former, having attached spokes, and lugs extending inwardly from its inner circumferential wall; of an annular member positioned in the central chamber of said outer hub by said lugs and having concavit-ies on its inner edge; a plurality of cylinders mounted on the inner hub member, each cylinder being opposite one of said concavities; spring controlled plungers mounted in said cylinders and held in yielding engagementv With said annular member; a cover plate provided with an annular flange extending into the central chamber of said outer hub member with the end of said flange in contact with the side face of said annular member; and means for locking said cover plate to said outer hub member.

5. In a vehicle wheel, the combination with inner and outer hub members, the latter loosely surrounding the former and having rim supporting spokes secured thereto; an annular member positioned in a groove in said outer hub member the entire inner edge of which is provided with a plurality of connecting concavities; means for locking said member in said groove; a plurality of cylinders mounted on the inner hub member each cylinder being opposite one of said concavities; spring controlled plungers mounted in said cylinders and held in yielding engagement with said annular member; each plunger being provided with a curved depression in its outer end and a rocker member having a curved surface seated in the depression of each of said plungers and provided with flanges on each side of said annular member, said rocker member having a sliding movement relative to and transversely of said plunger.

6. In a vehicle wheel, the combination with inner and outer hub members, the latter loosely surrounding the former and having rim supporting spokes secured thereto; a divided annular member positioned in a groove in said outer hub member, the entire inner edge of which is provided with a plurality of connecting concavities; means foradjusting the divisions of said annular member to force them into rigid contact with the inner Wall of said outer members; means for locking said member in said groove a plurality of cylinders mounted on the inner hub member each cylinder being opposite one of said concavities; spring controlled Signed by me at- 4 Post Oflice Sq-., Boston,-

plu-ngers mounted in said cylinders and Mass, this 6th day ofMay, 1912.

held in yielding en a ement with said annular member; and ro cker members having OLAES JOHANSON curved surfaces seated in the end of said Witnesses: plungers and provided with flanges on each WALTER E. LOMBARD,

side of said annular member. NATHAN C. LOMBARQ Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing th'e Commissioner of latents,

Washington, I). C. 

